How to Setup a Remote Desktop Without a VPN Connection

Remote Desktop allows you to remote control a Windows PC over the Internet.

Remote Desktop allows you to take remote control of a Microsoft Windows computer over the Internet---ideal for accessing your computer from a distant location. If you wish to enable Remote Desktop access to a computer without using a VPN (virtual private network), you will need to forward remote desktop traffic directly to that computer using your router. It will then be possible to take direct control of the PC using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection utility.

Things You'll Need

• Internet router with port forwarding capabilities
• Microsoft Windows XP or later

Instructions

1. Ensure the host PC (the machine you wish to connect to from a remote location) has a static IP address on your internal network. Go to the "Start" menu and, on a Windows XP machine, select "Run" from the menu. Type "ncpa.cpl" into the Run box. On Windows 7 or Vista PCs you can type this straight into the search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Identify your active network connection from the list, right-click on it and select "Properties." Within the "Connection Properties" dialog box, locate the TCP/IP section (version 4, in the case of Windows 7 or Vista machines) and select "Properties." Ensure the setting saying "use the following IP address," is selected and an IP address is in place.

2. Check you can access the Internet on the host PC by browsing to any web page, then ensure that Remote Desktop is enabled on the host PC. Click "Start," "Control Panel" and double-click the "System" icon. Click the "Remote" section and select the option to allow remote connections to your machine.

3. Click "Start," "Control Panel" and double-click the "Windows Firewall" icon. On Windows 7 or Vista, select "allow a program of feature through windows firewall" and select "Remote Desktop" from the list. On Windows XP, go to the "Exceptions" tab and select it from the list found there.

4. Access your Internet router's configuration pages. These are generally accessible via a web browser interface by typing in an IP address, which is commonly "192.168.1.1." Consult your router documentation to find out the correct IP address for your router. Locate the port forwarding settings and forward port 3389 (TCP) to the IP address of the host computer.

5. Make note of the external static IP address of your Internet router. Your Internet service provider will be able to provide this information.

6. Run the "Remote Desktop Connection" software from the Windows computer at the remote location. In the "Computer" field, enter the external IP address of the Internet router on the host network. The software should connect to the host computer via the forwarded port, and request a valid username and password. Once entered, you have remote control of the host PC.

7. Use the log off command on the "Start" menu of the remote computer when you have finished using your remote control session. Avoid simply closing the remote desktop window.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the connection speed, the speed of response on the host PC may seem slow. It is advised to be patient and not attempt to click icons or buttons multiple times.

• Using remote desktop in this way makes your PC accessible over the Internet. Ensure that the host computer is configured with a complex password to ensure security and privacy.

References

• Microsoft: Get started using Remote Desktop with Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft: Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Desktop